Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I second Senator Mullen's proposal that No. 17 be taken at the commencement of business. I support the call by my colleague Senator O'Toole for an urgent debate on the economic issues facing the Government and the country. Today, the Finance Bill will be published. Let us hope that at least it will lead to robust political debate on the choices facing the Government and the Oireachtas over the next few weeks and months which will be crucial.

Profound economic problems must be faced. The announcement that the budget would be brought forward was made at the beginning of the Government's response. However, since then matters have gone from bad to worse. Taxation, public expenditure, tackling waste and public service reform all need to be debated urgently. The public would demand of us that the economy be the main political item on our agenda from now until Christmas.

As Senator O'Toole stated, on every street corner, in every pub and at every sporting venue, people speak about the economy. People who never previously worried about the economy or offered an opinion on it are deeply concerned. They want to see a response from the Government and political debate. If confidence is to return to the public it must begin with competence at Government level. The Taoiseach and the Minister must put forward the various economic options available to us.

This House must take every possible opportunity to debate the profound economic issues facing us, including job losses and fears of job losses and many other crises on the economic front. Next week should not go by without substantial time being set aside to deal with the issue which, as far as every citizen is concerned, should be the Government's only concern, namely, the economic state of the nation.